Hello and thank you in advanced for any help or advice you may have,
I want to find homes for alll these cats/kittens at some point ( I already had two grown female cats ) but meanwhile, I want to spay the moms. However,
they are still nursing their kittens once a day or so. The kittens are eating canned food three times a day.
The vet said they could spay the moms even tho lactating, but that I had to separate the moms from the kits. I live in a one bedroom house with a small patio. I dont think I can reasonably separate them.

So, do I let them nurse until the kits dont want it any more ?
Will that be more than 6 months ?
Can the moms get pregnant again even tho lactating/nursing?
And..what age do the babies eyes change from blue to regular color?

Thank you so much. THis has been so nerve-wracking and yet fun =:]
Jak040

Wudjah

August 1st, 2005, 09:39 PM

So, do I let them nurse until the kits dont want it any more ?
Will that be more than 6 months ?

Kittens will nurse as long as you & the Mother lets them. I've seen 6-8 month old kittens still nursing from the Moms!

Can the moms get pregnant again even tho lactating/nursing?

YES!!

And..what age do the babies eyes change from blue to regular color?

Usually around 6 weeks or so, unless they are a breed/mix that is supposed to have blue eyes.

Although important to have the Mom's spayed ASAP, if you can't separate the kittens from them then I would wait until the kittens are in new homes. The kittens will still attempt to nurse even after the spays and this could cause problems with the incisions. If you have problems placing the kittens then you're going to have to do something like keep the Mom's & kittens separate until the incisions heal.

Lucky Rescue

August 1st, 2005, 10:56 PM

If you tell us where you are, maybe we can help in some way!

StaceyB

August 2nd, 2005, 02:26 AM

I would get the kittens to start eating kibble, moisten it to begin with and then cut the water bit by bit. Also you didn't mention that you have been giving water. If not I would start. I would once they are eating and drinking on the own find homes for them. It is possible that they are nursing each others kits, reason for them to continue nursing.

mona_b

August 2nd, 2005, 10:35 AM

Is there anyway you can keep the kittens in the bedroom with the door closed?

Stacey,she already has them eating canned..... :)

jac,they are eating kitten food right?

jak040

August 6th, 2005, 07:16 PM

Thanks so much for responses!
Yes, babies are eating Wellness canned food diluted, 3 times a day as are moms.
Moms are very thin so also giving them chopped liver from WFMarkets.
I got the youngest mom ( 12-15 months old ) spayed a few days ago. Her mom is also the mom of the 4 kittens. She ( teen mom) is mom of one kit.
Teen mom usually escapes to play on apt grounds and older mom stays with kits ..almost always.

Did I mention I am in a one bedroom apt =:-o
Actually it isnt so bad and I am planning on moving in the next few months.
Hopefully before mgmt knows. :-/

How to spay the devoted mom and keep her apart from kits !! ? I have my original adults cats (2 females) in my bedroom. the teen mom is not a prob with no more nursing. she's over it. she was dry too, altho kept letting kittens nurse ?1

The kits eyes are just turning from blue to ..??

I live in So. calif, Orange County. I am really really leary of giving these cats/kittens to just anyone who says they want them. I know..this is a lot of work for me...but tooo many people just LEAVE their cats and move away.

I would be devastated if these cats/kittens were abandoned AGAIN.

Jak

Lucky Rescue

August 6th, 2005, 07:46 PM

You are a true kitty angel - not many people would do what you're doing.

Sorry, CA is too far for us to help you.:(

All I can do is offer suggestions on how to safely find homes for all these kitties and/or send you a copy of an adoption contract.

I would give the kitten food to the thin momma cats too. Have they been dewormed?